In a busy week for manufacturers of sports prototypes vying for Le Mans glory in 2023, both Ferrari’s and Cadillac’s machines have taken to the track for the first time, alongside Peugeot’s competition debut for the 9X8 at the 6-hours of Monza.
Cadillac rolled out its LMDh prototype at an undisclosed location last week for a shakedown ahead of the start of its track test program. The car will feature a chassis constructed by Dallara coupled with an in-house developed V8 engine; Chip Ganassi Racing will run the factory cars in IMSA. To date, Porsche is the only manufacturer to have conducted extensive testing of an LMDh machine, with supply and reliability issues related to the spec hybrid systems apparently hampering the cooperative efforts of the various LMDh constructors.
Almost concurrently, Ferrari also gave its LMH car a shakedown last week, at the Fiorino test track in Italy, officially previewing a teaser of the car while various unofficial videos also appeared online thanks to regular Fiorino stalkers. Details of the car remain sparse with Ferrari not planning an official launch until 2023, however, the car sported a striking aero package and audio from the track suggests it is certainly turbocharged.
“This is a very exciting moment, eagerly awaited both by the people who worked on this project and Ferrari fans,” said Antonello Coletta, head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT. “Being able to touch the result of many months of work, planning and simulations gives us new energy and motivation. We are proud of what we have achieved, and although the LMH’s masking during testing hides the car’s volumes and styling, I think it is undeniably recognizable as a Ferrari.”
